Conejo Recreation and Park District Announces Paige Lane Neighborhood Park is Now Open

Construction of the Conejo Recreation and Park District’s Paige Lane Neighborhood park is now complete and open to the public.

The 14 acre neighborhood park development at 901 Paige Lane in Thousand Oaks includes multi-use walkways and looped equestrian trail, Chumash themed playground, fitness equipment nodes, sand volleyball and basketball courts, three shaded picnic areas, single restroom, small parking lot and native and drought tolerant landscaping.

Due to the current drought and the Conejo Recreation and Park District’s continued efforts towards water conservation, the planned three acres of turf areas will not be installed at this time. Turf areas will be prepared with mulch cover and underground irrigation infrastructure for possible future implementation of turf at a later date, depending on forecasted drought conditions. To find out more about the District’s water conservation efforts, please visit www.crpd.org/water.

The project was made possible through a partnership between the Conejo Recreation and Park District and the City of Thousand Oaks. The City provided $1,500,000 grant towards the approximate $4,250,000 project. The Conejo Recreation and Park District provided the balance of the funding and project management.

The park was acquired in 1972 by the Conejo Recreation and Park District and is one of few remaining undeveloped parcels of the District-wide Conejo Creek Park Complex.

To celebrate the opening of the new park facility, the District will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony with crafts, games and light refreshments from 10:00am to 12:30pm on Saturday, October 29, 2022.

Please visit the park page at www.crpd.org/plp for detailed project information and construction photos.

Sprinkles ATM Located at The Oaks Shopping Mall in Thousand Oaks

There is a Sprinkles “ATM” located on the first level of The Oaks in Thousand Oaks on the 1st level, east side next to the Starbucks stand. Yes, I know, technically it is not an “Automated Teller Machine,” but that’s what Sprinkles calls them and these cupcake vending machines are located at over a dozen malls and other places around Southern California.

Flavors include Red Velvet, Dark Chocolate, Strawberry, Vanilla, Sprinkles, Black & White, and Banana. So if you’re looking to fill that cupcake craving, you can conquer that quickly at The Oaks. Pricing as of March 2022 was $5.99 per cupcake. “Baked Fresh & Replenished Daily” is what they indicate.

More information at sprinkles.com/pages/location-the-oaks.

BAKERIES, DONUTS, CUPCAKES AND BAGELS IN AND AROUND VENTURA COUNTY

Mile Stretch of State Street in Santa Barbara Closed to Vehicular Traffic

Since May 22, State Street between Sola Street and Haley Street in Downtown Santa Barbara has been closed to vehicular traffic. This has allowed restaurants to expand their outdoor seating options during the pandemic.

There’s plenty of parking in the adjoining streets and parking lots.

Bicyclists are allowed in this promenade area, but must ride at a safe pace.

Wear your masks and enjoy your visit!

Learn more at www.downtownsb.org.

Camarillo Public Library Currently Offers Curbside Pickup Service

Since June, the Camarillo Public Library has offered Curbside Pickup Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Curbside pickup works as follows:

• Request materials online or by calling 805-388-5222.. Requests are limited to 10 items due to high demand.

• Once you have been notified via email, phone or text, that your items are ready, park in a numbered space.

• Call 805-388-5222, provide staff your name, library card number and parking space number.

• Stay in your vehicle and your items will be delivered to you.

Items are due back in 3 weeks and must be returned using the drive-up book drops . Items will be quarantines for 4 days before being marked as returned (which will not result in late fines).

More information at camarillolibrary.org/content/curbside-service.

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden to Reopen to the General Public on Friday, July 10th

The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden will officially open to the general public on Friday, July 10th after a two-month closure prompted by COVID-19 followed by a phased two-month opening to its membership.

“We’re excited that guests can once again explore, discover, and be inspired by the diversity of California’s native plant communities represented in our Garden,” said Dr. Steve Windhager, Executive Director of the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. “A visit to the Garden is one of the critical ways that we foster a love of the incredible flora of California and inspire guests to join us in its conservation.”

The Botanic Garden has partnered with Cottage Health, who will serve as its official ‘health and wellness partner’ to advise on measures that ensure the safety of Garden visitors. Such measures will include mandatory masks while on the grounds, frequent sanitation of high-touch surfaces, hand sanitizing stations at all entrances and restrooms, and adherence to social distancing protocols. In addition, the Garden’s capacity has been reduced by two-thirds, from 300 total guests at one time to no more than 100.

Nestled into Santa Barbara’s foothills at the base of the Los Padres National Forest, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden boasts over 1,000 taxa of exclusively California native plants, 5.5 miles of trails, and 78 acres in which to immerse one’s self in nature. During its initial summer re-opening, all indoor facilities as well as the Garden’s retail nursery will remain closed. And while on-site educational programming will also remain paused, visitors will have access to a robust digital library of educational resources.

“The pandemic provided an opportunity for us to take some of our educational efforts out of the classroom and into living rooms and backyards throughout the region,” said Dr. Windhager. “Between our nature journaling club, online book club, and Summer Sips Lecture Series, we have some great educational opportunities even after they leave the property.”

Admission to the Garden is $16/adult, $12/senior, $10/student with valid ID, and $8/child (2yo and under are free). Memberships to the Garden start at $75/year and provide free entry all year long! The Garden is open to visitors Friday through Tuesday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Garden Members may also visit during Members-only hours from 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.

The Garden’s mission is to conserve California native plants and habitats for the health and well-being of people and the planet. For more information, visit www.sbbg.org.

Healing Garden Dedication Ceremony at Conejo Creek Park North on November 7th

The City of Thousand Oaks, along with the Conejo Recreation and Park District and Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, will be hosting a dedication ceremony of the Healing Garden on November 7, 2019 at 3:15 p.m. at the Lakeside Pavilion at Conejo Creek North, located at 1379 E Janss Rd., Thousand Oaks. Park gates will open at 2:30 p.m. Please note that access to the park will be restricted until that time.

In response to the tragedy at the Borderline Bar and Grill in November 2018, where twelve lives were taken, the City and Conejo Recreation and Park District partnered to create a Healing Garden, a place where the community can reflect, grieve, remember, and heal.

Although Conejo Creek North Park is open during construction, public access to the park will be prohibited prior to 2:30 on November 7. The public is advised to allow ample time for parking, which will be available at Conejo Creek South with shuttles available.

Healing Garden construction updates can be found at www.crpd.org/planning/planning-documents.

What: Healing Garden dedication ceremony.

Where: Lakeside Pavilion at Conejo Creek North, 1379 E. Janss Rd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91362.

When: November 7, 2019. Gates open 2:30. Ceremony begins at 3:15.

Camarillo Grove Park New Playground and Hiking Trail Re-Opening in Early October

New playground equipment has been ordered and will be installed in September at Camarillo Grove Park, 6968 E. Camarillo Springs Road in Camarillo. Construction is estimated to be complete in early October.

The Hill Fire of November 2018 raged through this park and destroyed the old playground, so it had to be completely removed. The fire also ravaged large sections of hiking trails and made them unsafe for the public to use. The Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District has been working with FEMA to obtain additional funds to fix all the damage so that the entire park can be safely reopened to the public. The upper hiking trail loop has been closed for maintenance and should be re-opened by early September.

Camarillo Grove Park, a former stagecoach stop and home to the oldest tree in the district, is nestled in a rustic setting near the base of the Conejo Grade at the end of Camarillo Springs Road. The park has five areas that can be rented for groups and events ranging from 50 to 350 people, a perfect spot for weddings, birthday parties, charity events, anniversary parties, corporate and team building events, school field trips and more! Contact the District at 805-482-1996 for rental information.

Here’s a mockup of the type of playground going into Camarillo Grove Park.

More info at www.pvrpd.org/parks/park_list/camarillo_grove_park.asp.

Skateboarding Hall of Fame and Museum Opening at Simi Valley Town Center

The Skateboarding Hall of Fame and Museum is opening its doors at the Simi Valley Town Center on Saturday, December 15, 2018. It is located directly across from the Vans store in the mall in a space of over 10,000 square feet. The address is 1555 Simi Town Center Way, #230.

The International Skateboarding Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded by Todd Huber. It was created to honor the passion, dedication and contributions to skateboarding history and culture by skateboarders and cultural icons through the decades.

The Museum displays hundreds of skateboards and other skating artifacts going back decades. There are some fascinating home-made specimens of boards on display. There will also be an skating art gallery, gift shop, theater/library (over 600 skating videos as well as skating magazines) and skate shop. They will also be able to build skateboards at the facility.

The Museum also has a mini skating ramp with a fun wall ride available to local youth for a fee.

Admission to the museum will be free, but donations are welcomed.

Visit www.facebook.com/SkateboardingHallofFame to learn more and to support the cause.

Old school. REALLY old school.

Nearly complete mini ramp at Skateboarding Hall of Fame and Museum.